Written by: Dr. Makida Bey, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
It’s no secret that anxiety, social phobia, imposter syndrome, and workplace stress are some of the most common mental issues that affect high-powered executives and professionals across industries. It’s not only limiting our performance but, most troubling, our happiness. As someone who has battled these conditions, I understand first-hand how challenging it can be to navigate through it. But, there are ways to take control of your anxiety to ensure your best performance. Let's get right into some tips and tricks to help you overcome anxiety and imposter syndrome in the workplace.
1. Recognize and address your triggers
The first step to overcoming anxiety is to understand the things that trigger it. For example, if you’re anxious about public speaking, attending events that force you to do so can send you into a panic attack. Once you’ve identified the cause of your anxiety, you can now take steps to address it. For instance, if you’re anxious about public speaking, you can consider enrolling in a public speaking course to build your confidence.
2. Seek professional help
If you’re struggling with anxiety or imposter syndrome, you don’t have to go through it alone. Seeking professional help from a licensed therapist or coach can be a game-changer. We can assist you in coming up with effective coping mechanisms, recommend helpful strategies, and be the support system you need during difficult periods.
3. Focus on your strengths
At times, workplace stress and imposter syndrome can distort our view of our abilities and value. While it’s human nature to occasionally have self-doubt, it’s essential to focus on our strengths and accomplishments. Journaling or keeping a success log is an excellent way to reflect and remind yourself of what you’re capable of, promoting more optimistic self-talk and alleviating feelings of inadequacy.
4. Prioritize self-care
Self-care is often overlooked, but it is critical to managing anxiety and preventing burnout. It’s essential to take care of your physical and emotional well-being by prioritizing things like sleep, exercise, diet, and mindfulness. You deserve to recharge and refill your cup – realigning your focus on this can make a crucial difference.
5. Create a support system
Finally, building a support system can be a great way to manage anxiety and imposter syndrome. Whether it’s a trusted mentor, coach, friend, or family member, having someone you can confide in, share your thoughts, and discuss your ideas can reduce feelings of anxiety and prevent burnout. Consequently, this can build a sense of community, improving your mental health, and promoting collaboration in your professional life.
Worth noting: Talking about how anxiety effects mental health in the workplace is essential, and everyone should strive to break the stigma surrounding it. Often, we view anxiety and imposter syndrome as weaknesses when, in reality, they’re expressions of humanity. Recognizing, addressing triggers, seeking professional help, focusing on your strengths, prioritizing self-care, and creating a support system are all critical steps to improving anxiety and, in return, your professional and personal lives. Remember, as an empowered individual, you have the authority to manage your thoughts, and you can achieve anything you set your mind to. So, let’s make a conscious effort to prioritize our anxiety management at work and achieve our fullest potential. You’re worth it!
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Dr. Makida Bey, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Makida Bey, PsyD, is a leader in resilience therapy and coaching. She is the Founder and CEO of the Resilience Therapy Center, which focuses on building resilience for individuals, families and businesses. Dr. Bey's signature integrative approach combines her Harvard Medical School education in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with her extensive experience working with high-anxiety and high-stress clients. She has been a frequent international guest speaker on topics including PTSD, anxiety, psychological domains of health, cultural racism, and self-care for individuals and communities. Some of the past organizations Dr. Bey has worked with include Booz Allen Hamilton, Rite Aid, Raytheon, Nationwide Insurance, Abbott Laboratories, and Adventist Healthcare. When not working, Dr. Bey finds joy and wonder in Sci-Fi movies, trips to the beach, and Game of Thrones episodes. Despite being an empowerment expert, she can’t stand getting behind slow people in traffic. Follow Dr. Makida Bey on Instagram, but don’t follow her in traffic.
